'Dating Game' Host Jim Lange Passes Away At 81

'Dating Game' Host Jim Lange Passes Away At 81

Jim Lange, the original host of the legendary show, The Dating Game, is dead at age 81. His wife, Nancy, said he died Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack at his home in California.

The Dating Game debuted in 1965 and Lange hosted it for more than a decade. He's being remembered today by Chuck Woolery, who hosted that other classic dating show, Love Connection.

Woolery said, "He was the best at what he did. He was the best at that show."

Lange gave many up-and-coming celebrities an early break on TV, including Suzanne Somers. Arnold Schwarzenegger also appeared as a contestant when he was still just a body builder. Even a pre-Charlie’s Angels Farrah Fawcett appeared on the popular game show.

Years later, Lange was a local radio host in San Francisco. Now, fans everywhere are remembering Jim Lange.

Woolery said, "Jim will be remembered as a wonderful and very capable host. A wonderful professional man and a wonderful guy."